He was born 1936 in Kayseri, Turkey, as the fourth son of Hacı Ömer Sabancı, a self-made wealthy trader, and Sadıka.
Şevket was educated in textile engineering at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) in England.
Returning home, he worked at managerial positions in a number of textile companies owned by his family.
In 2000 Şevket Sabancı founded Esas Holding, which is today the largest alternative investment firm in Turkey, managing close to $10 billion.
Direct investments and real estate development are key operating areas of the family office.